Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
